Photo by Leah Willingham ’17Mount Holyoke’s 1V boat after their race on Saturday against Amherst, UMass and Fairfield.

BY LEXI LOBDELL '20

The Mount Holyoke crew team opened its 2017 season this weekend with a strong effort against Amherst College, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Fairfield University.

The Lyons led the way with the second varsity eight boat claiming victory, streaming across the line with a time of 8:02. Coxswain Zoe Zelkowitz ’19, stroke Halee Mahoney ’20, Hannah LeBlanc ’20, Sharlow Hitchcock ’19, Morgan Lemos ’20, Emma Taylor ’20, Mira Rosenkotz ’20, Nicole Villacres ’18 and Mira Kelly-Fair ’17 comprised the boat. The second varsity crew broke away from both of Amherst’s 2V and 3V boats which finished with times of 8:06 and 9:06, respectively.

Mahoney explained, “We had a great start to our spring racing season last weekend! The 2V had an excellent start to the race, pulling ahead immediately, and we continued to push to the finish line ahead of Amherst.” Mahoney also commented on the team’s excitement to be competing, saying, “After a successful spring break training trip and first regatta, all three boats are excited and ready to race their hardest and meet other teams on the water.”

Ryan emphasized the importance of the Lyon’s strong start to the season, saying, “It’s really exciting to begin our racing season and I think the 1V’s recent performance provided insight in how to best prepare for NEWMACs at the end of April.”

Coxswain Maya Sterett ’20, with Clare Zicari ’19, Grace Remillard ’20, Olivia Vejcik ’20 and Sriya Pradhan ’19 comprised the Lyon’s varsity four boat. UMass lead the V4 race, finishing at a time of 8:25.90, while the Lyons trailed coming in at 8:58.17.

The Lyons will return to the water on Saturday in Schenectady, N.Y. to contest Union, Johnson & Wales and Amherst.